Demand from real ale aficionados and the generally curious has led a Bradford brewer to set up a new hospitality suite for visiting parties.

Salamander Brewing Company, based in Dudley Hill, Bradford, is looking to convert a storeroom at its Harry Street site into a hospitality room with a bar.

The firm has applied to Bradford Council for planning permission to change the use of the room where a new roof and ceiling are being completed in readiness for its new use.

Brewery owners Daniel Gent and Chris Bee are hoping they will be given the go-ahead at the end of the month, with the new venue expected to be up and running within a few weeks.

The move has come in response to a growing number of visitors to the three-man brewery which produces a regular supply of established and new ales to pubs in the Bradford area and as far afield as the North East.

Mr Gent said: “We have a growing number of parties coming to look around the brewery, mainly from men’s forums and branches of the Campaign for Real Ale.

“We already have a full licence and thought that turning the old store room into a hospitality room with a bar was a logical step.

“There’s an old bar we got from Lancashire and we’ve collected several bits of antique furniture and fittings to create real pub atmosphere.

“Hopefully, we’ll get planning permission to open the new space where we can cater for visitors and sell our beers on site.”

One idea is to hold a regular monthly open night for people to call in and sample the Salamander brews.

Mr Gent said the company had enjoyed a successful festive period and was continuing to see growth in demand for its draught ales.

He said: “Business is generally good as more people hear about us through word of mouth and our ales are introduced into new pubs as licensees move around.

“Developing the hospitality room will add another dimension to the business.”

In 2009 the appointment of full-time delivery driver Richard Makepeace marked a landmark in Salamander’s progress, and took it from a two-man to a three-man operation.

His appointment enabled Mr Gent and his fellow founder director Chris Bee to focus on brewing and business development.

Mr Gent said: “Richard’s appointment was a big step forward for us at the time and he’s a really valuable member of the team.

Salamander, which was founded more than ten years ago, now distributes its beers to outlets in Cumbria and Lincolnshire.

It produces around 30 barrels a week, from session beers at 3.8 per cent gravity up to stronger brews at 5.2 per cent which are sent to around 150 pubs.